BAN vs AFG: Bangladesh's series win against Afghanistan a ...

By India Today Sports Desk: Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan recently addressed the media following the Tigers’ triumphant T20I series win against Afghanistan. Shakib expressed his belief that this victory will serve as a major confidence booster for the team as they prepare for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.

During the press conference held on July 17th, 2023, Shakib emphasized the importance of flexibility within the team. He stated, "In T20s, a number seven might have to do the same job that openers have to do. If the openers bat for 15 overs, he might have to play the next five overs as well."

He further added that if every player can adapt to any batting position, it would make it easier for the team to face challenging situations.

Shakib also highlighted the healthy competition among the bowlers in the team, stating, "The five or six bowlers we have... our job is to make things easy for batters and we always try that. Now with the combination we have, we are seeing a healthy competition among pacers and spinners and this is a good thing for the team."

Reflecting on the recent series win, Shakib said, “We had the belief we would chase it down,” referring to the rain-affected match where Afghanistan put up a score of 116 for 7 in 17 overs. Bangladesh successfully chased down the target, marking a significant victory for the team.

Looking ahead to the Asia Cup, Shakib expressed optimism, stating, “From here (the T20 squad) around 80 to 90 per cent of cricketers will play in the ODIs and this is a huge confidence boost for us ahead of the Asia Cup.”

He believes that the majority of the T20 squad will transition into the ODI setup, bringing with them the confidence and momentum from their recent victory.

Despite his international commitments and personal reasons leading him to opt out of IPL 2023, Shakib remains a pivotal figure in Bangladesh cricket. His leadership and performance continue to inspire his teammates as they gear up for the forthcoming challenges in the Asia Cup and beyond.